Epiphytes

The best-known epiphytes are mosses, lichens, orchids, and members of the Bromeliad family, but epiphytes can be found in almost any plant taxonomic group; moreover, the term "epiphyte" is often used for bacteria as well. The richest and most developed communities of epiphytes are found in tropical forests (especially in humid ones), but mosses and lichens are fairly common epiphytes of the temperate and even the Arctic climatic zone.

Epiphytic community on a tree, humid forest, Costa Rica.

Classification according to the nature of adaptation to the conditions of existence

In 1888, the German botanist Schimper compiled a classification in which he divided epiphytes into four groups: protoepiphytes, nested and staple (pocket) epiphytes, reservoir (cistern) epiphytes, semi-epiphytes.

• Protoepiphytes are the least specialized group of epiphytes. They are only marginally protected from periodic droughts and lack of soil. Protoepiphytes do not have special structures for collecting water. Many protoepiphytes have features characteristic of xeromorphic plants. Most epiphytic plants belonging to this group have fleshy (succulent) leaves that can retain some moisture. Such leaves are common for some peperomia, lastovnia, gesneria.
  Some liana-like epiphytes store water in thick, fleshy stems. In many orchids, one or more internodes of the stem thicken greatly, turning into a kind of above-ground tubers (tuberidia).

• Nest and staple (pocket) epiphytes have devices that allow the accumulation of various organic residues, which eventually turn into humus and provide the plant with nutrition.
  In nesting epiphytes, which include many ferns, aroids and orchids, the roots form a densely intertwined mass, vaguely resembling a bird's nest. Dead leaves and other plant residues, falling from above, linger in this trap and, gradually accumulating, turn into humus.
  In some staple epiphytes, all or part of the leaves adjacent to the tree trunk form peculiar funnels, or pockets. Humus gradually accumulates in them. The leaves from which the pocket is formed vaguely resemble parentheses in the context. The most famous representative of staple epiphytes is the deer horn fern ( Ptatycerium bifurcation).

• Reservoir (cistern) epiphytes most adapted to life on other plants. They are found only among species of the bromeliad family. Typical bromeliads, for example Aechmea fasciata, have long stiff leaves, collected in a rosette forming a small bowl-shaped reservoir. In some plants, it can contain up to 5 liters of water.
  The flora and fauna of reservoirs inside bromeliads is extremely peculiar and plentiful. For example, some Brazilian species of pemphigus are found only in bromeliads.

see also

Links

• Epiphytes- article from the Great Soviet Encyclopedia

Notes

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010 .

epiphytes- from the bromeliad family. epiphytes (from the Greek epí - on and phytón - plant), plants that live on other plants, but do not feed on their living tissues. E. are found in all climatic zones of the globe, but are especially abundant and ... ... Encyclopedic reference book "Latin America"

Or TREATS (Greek) Plants that live on other plants, but do not feed on their juices. Dictionary of foreign words included in the Russian language. Chudinov A.N., 1910. epiphytes (epi ... gr. phyton plant) plants that settle on other ... ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language

Autotrophic plants that are not connected to the soil. They live on the trunks and branches of other plants. Use moisture and mineral substances of rainfall and dust. Distributed everywhere in tropical (orchids) and northern (mosses, lichens) forests ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

Organisms that use the surface of plants as a permanent habitat. In microbiology, the term "E." used to refer to microorganisms that live on the surface of the epidermis of animals and use as nutrients ... ... Dictionary of microbiology

- (from Epi ... and Greek phytón plant) plants that settle on other plants, mainly on the branches and trunks of trees, as well as on the leaves of the so-called Epiphylls, and receive nutrients from environment(and not from ... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

Since the trees in tropical forests are quite tall, epiphytes that choose habitats at different heights differ in their needs. The most shade-tolerant and moisture-loving live close to the soil; those who prefer more light and not such a high level of air humidity settle in the crowns of trees, this is the most numerous group. And the branches at the very top were chosen for themselves by dry-bearing epiphytes. They chose the most difficult conditions: sharp fluctuations in daily temperature, lack of moisture, sharp gusts of wind, increased insolation, a substrate not too rich in humus. Species that settle in the crown and on the lower forks of the trunk receive nutrients from rainwater, which washes away organic matter from the branches located above, washes out garbage - the waste products of animals and birds.

Epiphytes can be divided into three groups: nesting, reservoir (cistern) and staple (pocket).

Nesting epiphytes include some types of ferns, aroids, orchids. Falling leaves, waste products of animals and birds are retained by the roots, and the rosette of leaves turns out to be in a kind of “nest”, which retains moisture well and provides nutrition.


Reservoir epiphytes are represented mainly by bromeliads. The leaves form a rosette or reservoir in which water accumulates. Under natural growing conditions, in some species, reservoirs contain up to 5 liters of water. The reservoir can be common to the whole plant, or each leaf forms its own "cistern", which is associated with the peculiarities of the location and structure of the leaves.

Staple or pocket epiphytes are distinguished by an asymmetric rosette. All or part of the leaves adjacent to the support (tree trunk) form pockets or funnels, which are bracket-shaped in cross section. Such leaves are formed, for example, in ferns of the genus deer antler or platicerium at a young age.

The roots of epiphytes are covered with a special integumentary tissue - velamen, which actively absorbs moisture from the air.

In interiors, epiphytes are most often grown in hanging baskets or planters. Orchids look especially impressive in baskets made of wooden sticks (round or square in cross section). They are distinguished by a rather powerful root system, which requires a large volume.


Of course, in room conditions Epiphytes are most often grown as ordinary potted ground plants, but they look much more spectacular in hanging baskets, block culture and, of course, on "epiphytic trees".


Baskets for epiphytes are “equipped” as follows: the bottom is lined with a fine mosquito net, sphagnum high-moor peat, fern roots, fallen birch leaves are placed on it, they can be replaced with leafy ground, pine bark (3-5 cm high). The basis of the basket is made of wire, wooden blocks, rounded or rectangular in cross section. Such baskets are suitable for orchids that have a fairly large root system, and therefore they do not do well on epiphytic trees.

Plants are planted so that the base of the stem is 1-2 cm below the edge of the basket. When transplanting, plants are carefully removed from the basket, its contents are shaken out and sorted out, updating the necessary components.

Epiphytes look no less impressive in block cultures. This is a great technique for vertical gardening. Almost all types of epiphytes can be grown in blocks, even orchids, especially considering that their aerial roots are sensitive to lack of oxygen.


There are two types of blocks: open and closed. Open - on large pieces of the substrate (rhizomes of ferns, bark, pressed sphagnum), plants are strengthened with wire. Depending on the size, from 1-2 to 4-5 plants can be placed on one block. If you plan to hang the block on the wall, it is pre-attached to a solid base: a small board, a Plexiglas plate, a ceramic plate, etc. In the event that the substrate is too loose, it is placed in a fine mesh.


In closed blocks, this problem is not significant. Large pieces of bark of larch, oak, birch, pine are fastened with wire in such a way that it looks like a pot. Of course, cork or Amur velvet bark is best suited for this purpose, but the availability of these species is a big problem. The block is filled with a loose substrate, the roots of epiphytes, having passed through it, are attached to the walls of the bark. It is quite possible to place blocks on an epiphytic tree. AT last years abroad, they produce ready-made blocks with holes in which young specimens of plants can be planted.

But the “epiphytic tree” makes the biggest impression. True, it should be noted that this is also the most labor-intensive option for placing epiphytes.

For an epiphytic tree, a snag of the original form is chosen. The most suitable species for this is the white locust (robinia pseudoacacia). The trunk has an interesting texture, the wood is quite soft, the roots of epiphytes are easily strengthened in it, and it is quite resistant to decay. You can also use the trunks of pear, apple, grapes. The more bizarre the shape of the selected driftwood, the more spectacular the epiphytic tree looks.


The snag is strengthened in a decorative planter. A substrate typical of epiphytes is placed on the forks or on the trunk. Sometimes a recess is made in it, in which the plants are fixed with a thin wire. You can attach open block cultures to the trunk. You should not turn an epiphytic tree into something like a Christmas tree or a Maypole. In this case, the well-known principle “better less, but better” is more appropriate. The most spectacular view is best placed in the lower (1/3 of the height) part of the snag, higher in the forks it is good to “attach” lighter and small plants, below the accent view, large, “heavy” rosettes of ferns or Venland's philodendron look great. A snag can be twisted with a liana, a Tillandsia or a tiny ficus can be hung on the ends of the branches. Recently. some firms offer rather unpretentious epiphytic miniature orchids that will serve as a sneaky decoration for any composition: Kingidium delisiosum and Neofinetia falcate.


Plant care comes down to daily spraying with warm, almost hot water in the cold season. Once a month, the substrate is moistened with a solution of urea (1-1.5 g / l) and microfertilizers.

When transplanting, epiphytes are abundantly watered for 1-2 days, then the block or individual plants are removed and the substrate is replaced with fresh. Too overgrown roots are pruned, and large specimens are divided into 2-3 plants. Fault points are treated with charcoal.

However, not everyone can create an “epiphytic tree”, so you can use “epiphytic shoots” - wrap a small branched snag with moss, secure it with wire or strong threads and plant small plants.

The “epiphytic rock” looks no less impressive - to create it, you will need an unusually shaped piece of soft stone - tuff, limestone or pumice. Make small indentations in it, fill them with a suitable substrate and plant small specimens of plants.

Epiphytes - plants attached to or growing on phorophytes, but do not receive any nutrients from them

Habitat

The largest number of epiphytes is found in tropical humid climates. They are able to adapt to growing conditions in areas overgrown with trees. Developing on other plants, they practically do not depend on the presence of soil cover.

In the northern regions, mosses and lichens are widely known, and there are also epiphytes among aroid, commeline, fern and other plants. Many types of epiphytes have a number of features in their structure that allow them to feed in unusual conditions.

Structural features

This way of existence of epiphytes has led to the fact that they began to have some structural changes in the structure that allow them to adapt and exist in particularly difficult conditions.

Many types of epiphytic plants have aerial roots, which have a porous structure that can absorb moisture from the air. When the roots get into a humid environment in 24 hours, they are able to increase their mass by 11%. Some plants have a root system that is able to penetrate the soil, turning into ordinary roots.

The rhizome of some epiphytes, on the contrary, develops upward in search of food sources. The Commeline family has hairs on the processes of the roots. with which plants feed. Bromeliads form a container from the leaves in which rainwater is collected.

In addition, leaves, dust, insects, etc., fall into the bowl, which subsequently form the food base for epiphytes. Some specimens have reduced leaves to reduce moisture evaporation.

plant classification

Epiphytic plants began to be closely studied only at the end of the 19th century. After a long study, the German botanist Schimper managed to compile a classification of plants. He divided all representatives into four groups:

Some representatives

Very often, epiphyte flowers are grown at room conditions. They are distinguished by their unpretentiousness and easy care. These representatives include:

And also epiphytic flowers include: Cymbidium, Echmea, Medinilla, Tillandsia, etc.

Epiphytes use other plants as a support and, with a large population, can harm it. Although the word "epiphytes" is translated as "nadrevniki", epiphytes are found not only among terrestrial plants, but also among algae.

Epiphytes are most common in tropical humid climates. They grow in areas overgrown with trees and are a model of high adaptability to growing conditions. Settling on trees, epiphytes do not depend on the presence of soil, they have the opportunity to be closer to the light source, and herbivores eat them less.

Epiphytes of the tropical zone are orchids and plants of the Bromelaceae family. Epiphytes mosses and lichens are common in the temperate and arctic zones. There are also epiphytes among aroid, commeline, lily, ferns, club mosses and other plants.

In the photo: Epiphytic plant orchid Vanda (Vanda)

Due to the lack of habitat, epiphytes have a number of adaptations for obtaining nutrients and water. So in most orchids these are aerial roots of silver color, the surface layer of which is called velamen. They have a porous surface, which, like a filter, absorbs moisture from the air and supplies it to the plant. The aerial roots of some orchids, when moving from dry to humid air, can increase their mass by 11% per day. Aerial roots of other epiphytes grow to the soil and penetrate into it, turning into ordinary ones. The roots of other orchids, on the contrary, in search of food, can grow upwards if there the source of their vital energy is located.

In Commeline, the suction role is played by hairs that cover the surface of the roots and give them a velvety texture. Plants of the bromeliad family form a rosette of leaves that tightly cover each other, forming at the base a kind of bowls into which rainwater is collected. Remains of leaves, dust, insects drowned in water also fall into the bowls and rot there. Subsequently, this nutrient mass is absorbed by the plant.

It is worth noting that our northern epiphytes - lichens, settling on the trunk and thick branches of a tree, do not harm it under normal conditions for the development of a tree. However, with slow growth, the thin branches of the tree are also colonized with lichen, which interferes with the breathing of the tree, thereby harming it.

Some epiphytes settle on leaves, they are called epiphylls. Plants that use roots only for fixing are called aerophytes, settling on stones - lithophytes.

In the photo: An epiphytic plant of the Bromeliad family (Bromeliaceae) Guzmania (Guzmania)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The best-known epiphytes are mosses, lichens, orchids, and members of the Bromeliad family, but epiphytes can be found in almost any plant taxonomic group; moreover, the term "epiphyte" is often used for bacteria as well. The richest and most developed communities of epiphytes are found in tropical forests (especially in humid ones), but mosses and lichens are fairly common epiphytes of the temperate and even the Arctic climatic zone.

Classification according to the nature of adaptation to the conditions of existence

In 1888, the German botanist Schimper compiled a classification in which he divided epiphytes into four groups: protoepiphytes, nested and staple (pocket) epiphytes, reservoir (cistern) epiphytes, semi-epiphytes.

• Protoepiphytes are the least specialized group of epiphytes. They are only marginally protected from periodic droughts and lack of soil. Protoepiphytes do not have special structures for collecting water. Many protoepiphytes have features characteristic of xeromorphic plants. Most epiphytic plants belonging to this group have fleshy (succulent) leaves that can retain some moisture. Such leaves are common in some Peperomia, Lastovnia, Gesneria.
  Some liana-like epiphytes store water in thick, fleshy stems. In many orchids, one or more internodes of the stem thicken greatly, turning into a kind of above-ground tubers (tuberidia).
• Nest and staple (pocket) epiphytes have devices that allow the accumulation of various organic residues, which eventually turn into humus and provide the plant with nutrition.
  In nesting epiphytes, which include many ferns, aroids and orchids, the roots form a densely intertwined mass, vaguely resembling a bird's nest. Dead leaves and other plant residues, falling from above, linger in this trap and, gradually accumulating, turn into humus.
  In some staple epiphytes, all or part of the leaves adjacent to the tree trunk form peculiar funnels, or pockets. Humus gradually accumulates in them. The leaves from which the pocket is formed vaguely resemble parentheses in the context. The most famous representative of staple epiphytes is the deer horn fern ( Platycerium bifurcatum).
• Reservoir (cistern) epiphytes most adapted to life on other plants. They are found only among species of the bromeliad family. Typical bromeliads, for example Aechmea fasciata, have long stiff leaves, collected in a rosette forming a small bowl-shaped reservoir. In some plants, it can contain up to 5 liters of water.
  The flora and fauna of reservoirs inside bromeliads is extremely peculiar and plentiful. For example, some Brazilian species of pemphigus are found only in bromeliads.
• Semiepiphytes begin their existence as true epiphytes - high on a tree, but then, developing long aerial roots, they reach the soil and take root in it. This is how many large aroids, ficuses and a number of representatives of other families grow.

see also

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Notes

Literature

• Artsikhovsky V. M.,.// Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg. , 1890-1907.
• Epiphytes- article from the Great Soviet Encyclopedia.

An excerpt characterizing Epiphytes

Pierre decided not to visit the Rostovs with himself anymore.

Petya, after receiving a decisive refusal, went to his room and there, locking himself away from everyone, wept bitterly. Everyone did as if they had not noticed anything when he came to tea silent and gloomy, with tearful eyes.
The next day the Emperor arrived. Several of the Rostovs' servants asked to go and see the tsar. That morning, Petya spent a long time dressing, combing his hair and arranging his collars like the big ones. He frowned in front of the mirror, made gestures, shrugged his shoulders, and finally, without telling anyone, put on his cap and left the house from the back porch, trying not to be noticed. Petya decided to go straight to the place where the sovereign was, and directly explain to some chamberlain (it seemed to Petya that the sovereign was always surrounded by chamberlains) that he, Count Rostov, despite his youth, wants to serve the fatherland, that youth cannot be an obstacle for devotion and that he is ready ... Petya, while he was getting ready, prepared many beautiful words that he would say to the chamberlain.
Petya counted on the success of his presentation to the sovereign precisely because he was a child (Petya even thought how surprised everyone would be at his youth), and at the same time, in the arrangement of his collars, in his hairstyle and in a sedate, slow gait, he wanted to present himself as an old man. But the farther he went, the more he entertained himself with the people arriving and arriving at the Kremlin, the more he forgot to observe the degree and slowness characteristic of adults. Approaching the Kremlin, he already began to take care that he was not pushed, and resolutely, with a menacing look, put his elbows on his sides. But at the Trinity Gate, in spite of all his determination, people who probably did not know for what patriotic purpose he was going to the Kremlin pressed him against the wall so that he had to submit and stop, while at the gate with a buzzing under the arches the sound of carriages passing by. Near Petya stood a woman with a footman, two merchants and a retired soldier. After standing for some time at the gate, Petya, without waiting for all the carriages to pass, wanted to move on before the others and began to work decisively with his elbows; but the woman standing opposite him, on whom he first directed his elbows, angrily shouted at him:
- What, barchuk, pushing, you see - everyone is standing. Why climb then!
“That’s how everyone will climb,” said the footman, and, also beginning to work with his elbows, squeezed Petya into the stinking corner of the gate.
Petya wiped away the sweat that covered his face with his hands and straightened his collars, soaked with sweat, which he arranged as well as the big ones at home.
Petya felt that he had an unpresentable appearance, and was afraid that if he presented himself to the chamberlains like that, he would not be allowed to see the sovereign. But there was no way to recover and go to another place because of the tightness. One of the passing generals was an acquaintance of the Rostovs. Petya wanted to ask for his help, but considered that it would be contrary to courage. When all the carriages had passed, the crowd poured in and carried Petya out to the square, which was all occupied by people. Not only in the area, but on the slopes, on the roofs, there were people everywhere. As soon as Petya found himself on the square, he clearly heard the sounds of bells and joyful folk talk that filled the entire Kremlin.
At one time it was more spacious on the square, but suddenly all the heads opened, everything rushed somewhere forward. Petya was squeezed so that he could not breathe, and everyone shouted: “Hurrah! hooray! hurrah! Petya stood on tiptoe, pushed, pinched, but could see nothing but the people around him.
On all faces there was one common expression of tenderness and delight. One merchant's wife, who was standing near Petya, was sobbing, and tears flowed from her eyes.
- Father, angel, father! she said, wiping her tears with her finger.
- Hooray! shouted from all sides. For a minute the crowd stood in one place; but then she rushed forward again.
Petya, not remembering himself, clenching his teeth and brutally rolling his eyes, rushed forward, working with his elbows and shouting "Hurray!", as if he was ready to kill himself and everyone at that moment, but exactly the same brutal faces climbed from his sides with the same cries of "Hurrah!".
"So that's what a sovereign is! thought Petya. – No, I can’t apply to him myself, it’s too bold! but at that moment the crowd staggered back (from the front the policemen were pushing those who had advanced too close to the procession; the sovereign was passing from the palace to the Assumption Cathedral), and Petya unexpectedly received such a blow to the ribs in the side and was so crushed that suddenly everything became dim in his eyes and he lost consciousness. When he came to his senses, some clergyman, with a tuft of graying hair behind him, in a shabby blue cassock, probably a sexton, held him under the arm with one hand, and guarded him from the oncoming crowd with the other.
- Barchonka crushed! - said the deacon. - Well, so! .. easier ... crushed, crushed!
The sovereign went to the Assumption Cathedral. The crowd leveled off again, and the deacon led Petya, pale and not breathing, to the Tsar Cannon. Several people took pity on Petya, and suddenly the whole crowd turned to him, and there was already a stampede around him. Those who stood closer served him, unbuttoned his frock coat, seated cannons on a dais and reproached someone - those who crushed him.
- That way you can crush to death. What is this! Murder to do! Look, my heart, it has become white as a tablecloth, - said the voices.